A group of Utica Community Schools junior high students will be the first in Michigan to kick off a transatlantic partnership.

The Bemis Junior High School first-year German students will represent
Michigan in a partnership that showcases how closely the United States and Germany are linked through history, shared values and visions for
the future.

The program - called Wunderbar Together – will kick off on October 3, the German United Day.

“These German I students, like many others in my classes, are excited to
learn about the unique aspects of the German language and culture,”
said teacher Jeff Kraft. "It’s meant to illustrate the belief in the strength between the U.S. and German transatlantic partnership and cast a spotlight on the deep ties between these two countries and their people."

The yearlong celebration will explore partnerships in all areas of
society – ranging from business and industry to politics, education,
culture, science, civil society, and sports and lifestyle.

The Year of German-American Friendship (“Deutschlandjahr USA”) is a
comprehensive and collaborative initiative funded by the German Federal
Foreign Office, implemented by the Goethe-Institut, and with support
from the Federation of German Industries (BDI).